Local Spanish band recognized

When Paul Cordova began performing with a few family members and
friends at church carnivals in 2003, he had no idea his band would be
named one of the top 15 bands in New Mexico.

Groupo Cielo, which means heaven in Spanish, is a Clovis band made
up of 10 area residents. In November, the band was recognized for their
song “A Puros Tragos” by the New Mexico Latin Music Academy.

The group was invited to perform their song at a ceremony at Route 66 Casino in November.

Groupo Cielo began their journey to notoriety when Cordova, who plays
saxophone and manager for the band, dropped a CD off at an Albuquerque
radio station. The song went on the air and broke the top 15 songs in
the state.

“It was great being able to bring this back to this area where there is so much talent,” Cordova said.

Cordova said the band began playing Spanish music, but would play
requests during shows. The requests were often country and southern
rock songs, and Cordova said the band could always play the song.

“We are all multi-talented. Each member can play two or three instruments so we can do pretty much anything,” he said.

Groupo Cielo is made up of three families; the Cordova, Ancira and Vidaurri families.

“We truly are like a brotherhood,” Cordova said of the band. “We play with pride.”